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Shack PSA: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive closed beta has begun

The closed beta for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has begun, offering select PC players a chance to try a small piece of the upcoming multiplayer-focused title.

As promised, the time has come. If you were lucky enough to receive an invite, the PC closed beta for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has begun. Originally scheduled to start in October, Valve pushed the beta's release to late November due to feedback from top Counter-Strike players.

The beta population will increase over time, according to Valve, as the company aims to hit the game's targeted "early 2012" release. But in typical Valve fashion, the developer said last month that there is "no mandate from anybody of when we have to ship this." Valve says CS:GO will ship when it's ready.

The announcement was made in a simple, yet effective, Twitter message to fans from the game's official account: "Go. GO. GO." As previously reported, the beta itself is a very small portion of the final game. Sixteen maps are promised at launch, including eight classic maps and eight "Gun Game" maps.

Last month, Valve's Chet Faliszek said the beta will end "When the community tells us. It ends when it's ready."